Elaborate arrangements being made for Hyderabad Mayor elections on Feb 11

Elaborate arrangements are being made for the smooth conduct of the Mayor and Deputy Mayor Elections, besides for the oath taking ceremony of newly elected Corporators on February 11.

If only one candidate is proposed, there will be no election and he or she will be declared elected unanimously. In case there are two or more candidates in the fray, a list of the contesting candidates will be prepared. Thereafter, names of each contesting candidate will be put to vote in order and members, including ex-officio, present will have to raise their hands as a means of voting.

The Presiding Officer will record the number of votes polled for each candidate, ascertained by show of hands. In the event of there being equality of votes between two candidates, the Presiding Officer shall draw lots in the presence of members and the name of candidate drawn first, will be declared elected.

All these procedures were explained to officials by State Election Commissioner C. Parthasarathi during a meeting held here on Monday. 

To conduct the special meeting, the quorum required is one half of the number of members or if there is quorum but no election has taken place, the meeting will be adjourned to the next day i.e, February 12 (irrespective of it being observed as a holiday by the GHMC). 

In the event of elections not being held on the next day, the Presiding Officer will refer the matter to the State Election Commission for further orders.

The GHMC elections were held on December 1 and the results were declared on December 4 last year. The ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) party emerged victorious in 56 divisions, while BJP secured 48 divisions and MIM won in 44



divisions and Congress won in two divisions. 

The BJP’s strength has come down to 47 following the death of Lingojiguda Corporator A. Ramesh Goud on December 31, 2020. In view of the Lingojiguda Corporator’s death, the State Election Commission will be hold re-elections for the division within 120 days.

As a precursor to the Mayor and Deputy Mayor elections to be held on February 11, a meeting is being convened with representatives of different political parties in the GHMC office on Tuesday.

Officials will brief the party leaders on the arrangements and procedures to be followed for the elections. The oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected corporators will be held at 11 am on February 11, followed by the Mayor and Deputy Mayor elections around 12.30 pm.

The incoming corporators are asked to report at the council hall at 10.45 am on the day along with an identity proof. They will also have to carry the notice copy issued by the Presiding Officer inviting them for the special meeting.

Instructions are issued to the members to strictly follow Covid-19 guidelines, and wearing of masks is made mandatory for entry into the hall. Seating will be party-wise.

Unless the Mayor election is completed, the Deputy Mayor election cannot be held. Further, if for any reason the elections are not held on February 11, it will be held the next day i.e. February 12, irrespective of it being observed as a holiday by the GHMC. In case of doubts, members can approach the GHMC Secretary or the election wing officials. All these aspects would be explained to the party leaders and representatives during the meeting on Tuesday, said a GHMC official.